Barroso Taskforce

President José Manuel Barroso announced a European Commission Taskforce for Northern Ireland when he met the First Minister designate Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister designate Martin McGuinness in Parliament Buildings on 1 May.

Lead by the Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta Hübner, this is the first time there has been a specific taskforce for a single region in the EU.

In the months which followed, the Taskforce took forward a stock take exercise, exploring how to support Northern Ireland’s efforts to modernise and create more growth and jobs in a competitive and globalised economy.  

Junior Ministers Ian Paisley Jnr MLA and Gerry Kelly MLA led a delegation to Brussels in November 2007 to discuss the work of the Taskforce. The Taskforce then visited Northern Ireland on 11 December 2007, meeting with government departments, social partners and stakeholders on a fact-finding mission.

The First Minister Ian Paisley and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness travelled to Brussels again on 9 January 2008 . During their two-day visit, they met with President Barroso and Commissioner Hubner and secured their commitment to extend the life of the Taskforce.

European Commissioner Danuta Hubner launched the report of the EU Special Taskforce to Northern Ireland in Belfast on 14 April.  Read more about the launch of the Report in the Events section.

The Report evaluaes Northern Ireland's participation in the available EU initiatives most relevant to our needs.

Work is now underway on a draft implementation plan to respond to the Commission’s suggestions.

Ronnie Hall (DG Regional Policy) with John McMillen (OFMDFM) at the Barroso Taskforce meeting at the Hilton Hotel on 11 December 2007.

European Comission Taskforce members at the Hilton Hotel, Belfast.

Delegates at the Barroso Taskforce meeting in discussion.

John McMillen leading a discussion at the Barroso Taskforce meeting.